SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Thousands of heavy metal and rock fans will descend on Discovery Park for the return of the Aftershock Festival this week.
Billed as the “West Coast’s largest rock festival,” the annual event will take place over a span of four days from Thursday, Oct. 10, to Sunday, Oct. 13. A fifth stage has been added for the first time in the festival’s history.
If you’re attending the event as a first-timer or as a veteran, here’s what you need to know about the four-day event.
Location
The festival will be at Discovery Park for all four days. Discovery Park is located on 1600 Garden Highway in Sacramento.
Lineup
Organizers said this year’s Aftershock is considered to be the “biggest lineup” they curated with a total of eight headliners — two on each day. This year’s headliners are Slayer, Pantera, Slipknot, Five Finger Death Punch, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Motley Crue and Disturbed.
Parking
Parking will not be available at Discovery Park with the exception of ADA parking. Camping is also not allowed at Discovery Park.
There is limited paid parking in surrounding lots and festival goers can buy either a four-day pass or single-day pass for parking.
Parking can only be accessed through West El Camino Avenue, as festival organizers recommend not driving on Garden Highway. Nearby parking lots are not managed by the festival, so parking will be at your own risk.
ADA parking is limited, but is available on a first-come, first-served basis for a daily fee. Vehicles with ADA credentials will be directed to a lot near the Jibboom Street festival entrance.
Other transportation options
The best way to get to Discovery Park is to use the Park & Ride shuttle program, which is located at Cal Expo on 1600 Exposition Boulevard in Sacramento. Each Park & Shuttle Pass includes parking your car for free at Cal Expo and a shuttle that’ll take you to and from Discovery Park.
Shuttle service begins one hour before gates open and will run about 75 minutes after the end of each night. Click or tap here to buy shuttle passes.
Those who plan to use rideshare apps such as Lyft or Uber or a taxi, there are rideshare lots located at 500 Bercut Drive, and near Natomas Park and West El Camino Avenue.
Festival goers planning on riding their bike to the festival can use a bike valet near the festival’s Jibboom Street entrance.
SacRT is providing supplemental bus service for festival goers from downtown Sacramento to Discovery Park. The bus will depart from the 8th and K bus stop and will drop you off on Jibboom near the ARCO gas station on the south side of the park.
Click or tap here to view a map of the festival with pick-up and drop off locations.
Where to enter
There are two ways to enter the festival: Jibboom Street and Garden Highway.
Once you enter the festival each day, you’re not allowed to leave and come back inside. Gates open daily at 11 a.m.
Storage
There will be lockers available to rent in the general admission and VIP areas. Click or tap here to reserve one.
What is allowed?
- Cellphones and small portable chargers
- Non-aerosol sunscreen
- Sealed bottle of water (max 20 oz) or one empty plastic refillable bottle
- Binoculars
- Towels and light blankets
- Small, point-and-shoot digital cameras
- Hats and sunglasses
- Earplugs
- Sealed packs of cigarettes and cigars
- Vape pens and e-cigarettes
Festival organizers suggest not bringing a bag, but if you must, it should be a clear one. Click or tap here to view the festival’s bag policy.
What isn't allowed?
- Large bags, backpacks or duffel bags
- Coolers or picnic baskets
- Outside food or drinks
- Metal containers such as Yetis or hydro flasks or glass containers
- Strollers
- Video cameras or audio recording devices
- Laptops or tablets
- Selfie sticks
- Laser pointers
- Drones
- Chairs
- Umbrellas
- Hula hoops
- Beach balls
- Confetti or glow sticks
- Aerosol cans
- Whistles or air horns
- Music instruments of any kind
- Weapons, drugs, fireworks or explosives
- Pets (with the exception of service animals)
- Walkie talkies
- Chains, chain wallets or spikes
Tickets
Aftershock is an all ages event and you’ll only gain entry with a pass. Tickets for the festival and shuttle admission are sold separately.
For those who want four-day or single-day passes, can purchase them here.
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